Don't really disagree with this in theory:
A society that needs its sports as a vehicle of vicarious violence so that actual violence doesn't break out at an angry time in its history is in deeper trouble than it can imagine.
But in practice, well, our society---and its leaders---actually have sanctioned violence against others. The only thing that differentiates the two types of violence I am thinking of, really, is that one form takes place out of the public eye while the other is beheld by millions on Sports Center. Otherwise, the two types of violence are quite similar: Highly ritualized, expressly designed to intimidate or humiliate one's adversaries, and virtually immune from judicial review. So why should anyone be surprised when some NBA player decides to perform a victory dance on his opponent's head? Our leaders have done the same damn thing---many, many times, and it enjoys full protection under the law.
---Vitelius
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